***
I still remember the moment when the realization hit me: “Oh, my goodness–I could be the poster child for adult ADD!”
It explained so much.
–Trouble completing tasks and meeting deadlines (Yup! That’s me!)
-Poor organization (Uh huh.)
–Procrastination (Oh, my, yes!)
–Poor time management (I wrote the book on it.)
Over the years I have tried to develop strategies to overcome the daily challenges of one who has such a short attention span, who gets so easily sidetracked, and–if it weren’t for the last minute–would never get anything done.
One of my most effective strategies:
Research shows that for adults with ADD, it’s important to keep a daily to-do list.
{Oh, sure. Just what I need– an unscratched-off list of what I haven’t accomplished that day.}
Then one day, I changed my To Do list to my Look What I Did! list, and what a difference it has made.
Want to know how to feel rewarded for tasks completed, rather than feeling scorn for uncompleted tasks?
Here ya go!
#1. Start with a notebook, preferably one that will lie open flat. It can be a thing of beauty, or it can be a notebook you found on the floor at the back of your closet. (I often find really nice name-brand notebooks at the Dollar Store.)
#2. This is totally optional. Since I enjoy paper crafts, I used this opportunity to finally try using Washi tape.
This is the very same notebook as in the picture on the right above. Isn’t it beautiful?
#3. Label the left-hand page as your To Do page and the right-hand page as the Look What I Did! page.
Don’t get sidetracked thinking that you have to make each page a creative masterpiece. A stubby pencil will work just as well as seven strips of Martha Stewart paper tape.
#4. On the left page, make your list of things you need to do. It’s OK if it’s more than you know you’ll get done that day.
Now, here comes the liberating difference:
Choose one thing from the list on the left–I repeat–one thing, cross it off, and write it on the right page of the notebook.
This is the ONE thing you need to be doing now. Don’t even think about the 17 other things on your list.
{This is what works for me–I set the timer for e.g., 15 minutes, and I say to myself: This is the only thing in my life I need to be doing in the next 15 minutes.}
When that task is done, cross it off (YAHOO!)
Continue this process throughout the day. You may only get two things done. But– Yay!–you got two things done!
And, there you have it: Look what I did!
****
Check out more from the Dollar Store Diva.
For those of you who haven’t met her, the Dollar Store Diva happens to be my Mom who has a special power. She can transform Dollar Store and other inexpensive finds into treasures that make super fun gifts and more!
Great idea! This would definitely help to see progress instead of the undones. You have lots of great resources on your site – just stumbled across it today but now following! Thanks for sharing the ideas.
I tried following the suggested method. I am glad to say it works!
Thank you So much
This is brilliant! I have ADD and even with medication can’t seem to get into the swing of things lately. My planner lies empty and tasks are disorganized and crazy. When I make a list, I get overwhelmed with what I have to do. This is a life saver. Thank you!
It is my privilege to share this idea, Aliviah. I hope that it has been a help to you.
I’m trying this immediately (before I forget)! I have been using all kinds of tips and tricks to help be more organized since finding out I have ADD, thanks to my daughter being diagnosed while in college. This method sounds like it will work for me since it involves writing things down more than once…something I found helps me to remember things better than using a computer, or recorder, or schedules (which I easily learn to ignore). Thank you so much!
I hope that this has been a help to you, Laury.
God I’ll try anything. I have the attention span of….oh look, a chicken. I have a book on the floor of my car that’s just perfect.
You made me chuckle, Neesie!
OK, about 5 more minutes to close up the pics. Two minor mods for me: 1 Don’t decorate. If I do that, the left page list would never get written. 2. I must date it.
Hi ho, hi ho. It’s off to work I go!
Darlene, those are both good points–thanks for sharing.
BRILLIANT! I’m going to stop surfing. Soon as I finish this comment and do that! Thank You! I do mean, right now!
If I only write down one thing, the 17 other things buzz around my brain. And secondly, I then start moving to the second before fininshing the first. How do I stay with the one thing until it is finished? Advice welcome
Oh, Sara, I so understand what you’re saying! For me, my greatest lifesaver is setting the timer. It is the strategy that works best for me. I choose one item from my to-do list and set the timer for 15 minutes, 20 minutes, or 30 minutes. I think to myself: this is the only thing in the world that I need to be doing right now, and I force myself not to get sidetracked. I never set it longer than 30 minutes because I can’t stay on task that long. :-)I may get it done during that time, or I may have to set the timer again throughout the day to finish the task. I wish you the best!
This is a neat idea to try. Will be trying this soon.
I am absolutely going to do this. I am so scattered and unfocused that nothing gets done around here until the in-laws are coming for a visit and then it’s 90 mph going crazy! Thanks for posting this!
Great idea!!
i dont have add, but i have time management probs. this is similar to kanban but even simpler than kanban, which i tried to use but gave up. i’m giving this method a try (even if it is the only thing i do today!!!)
What a great idea. I too have adult ADD (or should say lifetime ADD). My list of things to do is so long I never get through it no matter how sincere I am at wanting it all done. One look at the list and I …. BEADS …. INTERNET …. and the day is gone with nothing done. I will be giving this a try!! Thank you.